Prepared by RAND, the report explores the issues surrounding the use of compound drugs, co-packs and medical foods under the California workers’ compensation system to assess whether the products are medically appropriate and whether payments are reasonable. The report also discusses whether policy changes are needed to promote medically appropriate and efficient use of these products. The draft of this report, released in January 2011, helped to inform the discussion leading to the enactment of Assembly Bill (AB) 378. The full report is available on the CHSWC website.

CHSWC is charged with examining the health and safety and workers’ compensation systems in California and recommending administrative or legislative modifications to improve their operation. The Commission was established to conduct a continuing examination of the workers’ compensation system and of the state’s activities to prevent industrial injuries and occupational illnesses and to examine those programs in other states.